Château Sociando Mallet Haut-Médoc 1998

Red fruit aromatics, softened pureed raspberry and redcurrant, perhaps the silkiest in terms of tannic structure and texture so far. Not quite knocking on the door of the 1996 but it is delicious all the same. Harvest September 24 to October 5, hand sorting and hand harvesting (as every year). Patrice Laugac cellar master, Vincent Faure director. 100% new oak for 12 months, then 6 months in vat, total 18 months ageing. Michel-Bernard Couasnon consultant.